Francis Carroll
Encyclopedia
Francis Patrick Carroll is a retired archbishop
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
and a former president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference.
Born in Ganmain
, Carroll was the second of seven children of Patrick and Rose Carroll. He was ordained a priest in 1954 in Saint Brendan's Church, Ganmain. After service in Albury
, he was appointed Bishop of Wagga Wagga
in 1968 by Pope Paul VI
. In 1983 he was appointed Archbishop of Canberra with his seat at St Christopher's Cathedral. Carroll chose Nova et Vetera as his motto, meaning things both "new and old". Popularly known as "Father Francis", he served the church in Canberra for 23 years. The development of Catholic schools in the archdiocese is a significant part of his legacy. He was also the first Australian bishop to call a diocesan synod in Canberra (in 1989).
In 2001, Carroll signed a decree, much to the dismay of many traditionalists, that would eliminate the obligation for Catholics in Australia
to attend Mass on holy days of obligation
; Christmas
and the Assumption
being the only exceptions. He was awarded the Centenary Medal
on 1 January 2001 for "Service to Australian Society through the Roman Catholic Church".
In February 2006, Carroll's contribution to Canberra
and rural New South Wales was honoured through a scholarship to help students attend the Australian Catholic University
's Canberra campus. The Francis Carroll Scholarship provides financial support to students from rural communities in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
In May 2006, Carroll was awarded the Australian Catholic University's highest honour, a Doctor of the University (Univ.D) degree, in recognition of his contribution to Catholic education. He now lives in retirement in Wagga Wagga.
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of CanberraGoulburn is a Latin rite archdiocese located in the Australian Capital Territory and the South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands, Monaro and South Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia...
and a former president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference.
Born in Ganmain
Ganmain, New South Wales
Ganmain is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Ganmain is located around north west of Wagga Wagga, and east of Narrandera...
, Carroll was the second of seven children of Patrick and Rose Carroll. He was ordained a priest in 1954 in Saint Brendan's Church, Ganmain. After service in Albury
Albury, New South Wales
Albury is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River. It is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Albury Local Government Area...
, he was appointed Bishop of Wagga Wagga
Roman Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga is a Latin rite suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Sydney, erested in 1917, covering the Riverina region of New South Wales in Australia....
in 1968 by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. In 1983 he was appointed Archbishop of Canberra with his seat at St Christopher's Cathedral. Carroll chose Nova et Vetera as his motto, meaning things both "new and old". Popularly known as "Father Francis", he served the church in Canberra for 23 years. The development of Catholic schools in the archdiocese is a significant part of his legacy. He was also the first Australian bishop to call a diocesan synod in Canberra (in 1989).
In 2001, Carroll signed a decree, much to the dismay of many traditionalists, that would eliminate the obligation for Catholics in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to attend Mass on holy days of obligation
Holy Day of Obligation
In the Catholic Church, Holy Days of Obligation or Holidays of Obligation, less commonly called Feasts of Precept, are the days on which, as of the Code of Canon Law states,-Eastern Catholic Churches:...
; Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and the Assumption
Assumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
being the only exceptions. He was awarded the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
on 1 January 2001 for "Service to Australian Society through the Roman Catholic Church".
In February 2006, Carroll's contribution to Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
and rural New South Wales was honoured through a scholarship to help students attend the Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University is a national public university. It has six campuses and offers programs in five faculties throughout Australia.-History:...
's Canberra campus. The Francis Carroll Scholarship provides financial support to students from rural communities in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
In May 2006, Carroll was awarded the Australian Catholic University's highest honour, a Doctor of the University (Univ.D) degree, in recognition of his contribution to Catholic education. He now lives in retirement in Wagga Wagga.